Smooth Jazz Therapy

Les Sabler - Flying High

Produced and mixed by the redoubtable Paul Brown, ‘Flying High’ is the brand new CD from silky smooth guitarist Les Sabler. It is Sabler’s ninth solo album and follows his 2021 project ‘Tranquility’ that was notable for many reasons; The writing skills of Shane Theriot and Lew Laing, production from two-time Grammy-winner Paul Brown and Sabler’s faultless playing. It all added to what proved to be a total gem and for the aptly titled ‘Flying High’ Sabler has assembled this same creative team.

Les Sabler - New Bossa

Guitarist Les Sabler’s 2021 project ‘Tranquility’ was notable for many things; The writing skills of Shane Theriot and Lew Laing, production from two-time Grammy-winner Paul Brown and Sabler’s faultless playing all added to what proved to be a total gem.

Now, brand new for 2023, comes the aptly titled ‘Flying High’ for which Sabler has assembled the same creative team that delivered so masterfully with ‘Tranquility’.

It is due out on February 3 and to whet the appetite comes the first single ‘New Bossa’, a laid back charmer that really hits the smooth jazz spot.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Flying High’.

 

 

Roberto Restuccia - Stand Up

Out now on the Trippin N Rhythm label, ‘Stand Up’ is the excellent new single from UK guitarist and composer Roberto Restuccia. It reveals a very different musical persona from that demonstrated on his 2021 project ‘With Every Turn’ which, with tracks like ‘Crazy Love’, ‘Arrival’ and ‘1985’, was characterised by a feel good component that defines much of what good smooth jazz is.

In fact the horn enriched ‘Stand Up’ is a foot tapper of the highest order and should do well.

Restuccia made his solo debut in 2016 with the album ‘Exposure’ and ‘When The Smoke Clears’ followed a year later.

 

 

Najee - Bounce

Taken from his 2022 album ‘Savoir Faire’, the Grammy nominated sax and flute player Najee is back on radio with ‘Bounce’. This easy grooving gem is something of a contemporary jazz master class, orchestrated by Najee and added to by joint composers and performers Paul Brown on guitar, Roberto Vally on bass and Leon Bisquera on keys. It is right up there with the best that ‘Savoir Faire’ has to offer.

 

 

Wade C Long - Celebrate You

Brand new for 2023 comes the sophomore release from keyboard player and vocalist Wade C Long. Titled ‘A Long Story’ it features the up beat yet romantic ‘Celebrate You’ that finds him in delightful collaboration with songstress of the moment Hil St. Soul who is currently enjoying unbridled success with the CD ‘Back In Love’.

Nice track

 

 

The 3 Keys - That Beat

Ahead of the January 20 debut album release from keyboard super-group The 3 Keys comes the groove drenched radio single 'That Beat'.

Constructed around a coming together of those established and talented solo artists, Bob Baldwin, Gail Jhonson and Phil Davis, this three cornered collaboration unites three of the hottest keyboard players the genre has ever known and in so doing brings about a smooth jazz first.

Bob Baldwin is a contemporary jazz superstar with over twenty-five top ten radio hits as well as collaborations with smooth jazz A-Listers such as Grover Washington Jr., George Benson, Gerald Albright, Bob James, and Will Downing.

Often described as “the first lady of smooth jazz,” Gail Jhonson is the Musical Director for jazz guitarist Norman Brown and creative force behind the all-female band, Jazz In Pink.

Keyboard player, and producer for artists such as Najee, Will Downing, and Norman Brown, Phil Davis has scores of top ten contemporary jazz singles to his credit.

 

 

 

 

Walter Beasley - Wichita Lineman

Taken from Walter Beasley’s current album ‘Meet Me At My Place’ this ultra cool interpretation of the Jimmy Webb classic ‘Wichita Lineman’ is as captivating as it is different. With more than two dozen hit albums to his name and a parallel career as a music educator (Walter has trained a plethora of soul and jazz artists as a Professor at the Berklee School of Music) he shows no signs of slowing down. ‘Wichita Lineman’ is a case in point where Beasley not only plays sax but also delivers an on point vocal performance.

 

 

Paula Atherton - Ready Or Not

New York based singer, songwriter and woodwind player Paula Atherton has had quite a 2022.  Her white hot single ‘Keep it Comin’ came in at number three on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay Year-End Chart while another single, ‘Ready Or Not’, is still in heavy rotation twenty five weeks after its first release.

Check it out.